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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Funeral home owner who stashed 190 decomposing bodies in abandoned building and sent families fake ashes jailed
Jon Hallford fleeced clients and splashed out Covid relief funds on luxury cars and laser treatment CORPSE HORROR Funeral home owner who stashed 190 decomposing bodies in abandoned building and sent families fake ashes jailed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TWISTED funeral home owner who stashed 190 decomposing bodies in a bug-infested building and handed grieving families fake ashes has been jailed for 20 years. Jon Hallford, co-owner of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in southern Colorado, was sentenced in federal court on Friday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Jon and Carie Hallford (pictured) were arrested after 190 rotting bodies were discovered at their funeral home Credit: AP 7 A hearse and debris at the rear of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado Credit: AP 7 Some of the remains of the dozens of decomposing bodies discovered arriving via police escort in Colorado Springs in 2023 Credit: AP The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud over a gruesome scheme that shocked the nation. He admitted fleecing clients and siphoning nearly $900,000 in Covid-19 relief funds meant for struggling businesses — splurging the cash on luxury shopping sprees, laser body sculpting, flashy cars and cryptocurrency. His sentence is five years more than prosecutors requested, and double what his own lawyer pushed for. 'I am so deeply sorry for my actions,' Hallford told the judge. 'I still hate myself for what I've done.' He added that he opened the funeral home hoping to 'make a positive impact in people's lives,' but admitted: 'Then everything got completely out of control, especially me.' Bodies piled up 'like lumber' Hallford and his wife, Carie Hallford, who co-owned the funeral home, ran their grisly scam between 2019 and 2023. Investigators were first alerted in October last year when neighbours in Penrose, a tiny town two hours south of Denver, complained of a foul stench. Cops who turned up made a stomach-churning discovery — at least 190 bodies stacked atop each other in various states of decay, so badly decomposed that FBI agents had to lay boards over the sludge to navigate the rooms. Some corpses had been left there for years, including the body of Colton Sperry's grandmother who died in 2019. Chilling details emerge after number of rotting bodies found at 'green' Colorado funeral home rises to 189 In court on Friday, the young boy tearfully told the judge he fell into a deep depression when he found out. He told his parents at the time: 'If I die too, I could meet my grandma in heaven and talk to her again.' His father later rushed him to hospital for a mental health check, which led to therapy and an emotional support dog. Another victim, Derrick Johnson, travelled nearly 3,000 miles to tell the court how his mother was 'thrown into a festering sea of death'. 'I lie awake wondering: was she naked? Was she stacked on top of others like lumber?' he said. 'While the bodies rotted in secret, [the Hallfords] lived, they laughed and they dined. 'My mom's cremation money likely helped pay for a cocktail, a day at the spa, a first-class flight.' Two families even buried the wrong bodies after being sent urns of worthless dust — devastating relatives who said it destroyed their ability to properly grieve. 7 Authorities walk outside a closed funeral home where 190 bodies have been stored Credit: AP 7 Crews wade through the horror in Penrose, about two hours south on Denver Credit: AP Lavish spending spree Federal prosecutors revealed the Hallfords drained the pandemic aid and clients' money to bankroll a lavish lifestyle. They splashed out on a GMC Yukon and an Infiniti worth over $120,000 combined, snapped up Gucci and Tiffany jewellery, spent $31,000 on cryptocurrency, and paid for laser body sculpting treatments. The sentencing also included an order for Jon Hallford to pay more than $1 million in restitution — with $193,000 to be divided among the victims' families and the rest to the Small Business Administration. Hallford will serve his 20-year term concurrently with a state sentence expected in August, after he pleaded guilty to 191 counts of corpse abuse and hundreds of other state charges including forgery and money laundering. Meanwhile, his wife Carie withdrew her guilty plea in the federal case earlier this year and will now go to trial in September. She also faces 191 counts of corpse abuse in the state case. The pair were arrested in Oklahoma last November after going on the run. By then, the decaying funeral home had already been torn down. 7 Privacy fences are set up on the perimeter of the Return to Nature Funeral Home on October 9, 2023 Credit: AP
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
WIN a FREE pair of tickets to the Scottish Open to see Rory McIlroy, Scottie Schefflier and Robert MacIntyre in action
How well do you know your golf? HOLE IN ONE WIN a FREE pair of tickets to the Scottish Open to see Rory McIlroy, Scottie Schefflier and Robert MacIntyre in action THE best golfers in the world return to Scotland for the Genesis Scottish Open, and The Scottish Sun has partnered with premium car brand Genesis to offer golf fans the opportunity to win tickets to this year's tournament at The Renaissance Club from 10-13 July. Reigning champion, and Scottish number one, Robert MacIntyre, will be joined by a world-class field including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Reigning Scottish Open champion Bob MacIntyre and the Genesis GV70 3 Rory McIlroy won the title back in 2023 and is this year's Masters champion Credit: PA 3 Scottie Scheffler is returning to North Berwick this summer too Credit: Getty The first player to score a hole in one on the 17th hole during the tournament will win an Electrified GV70, a dynamic and versatile premium SUV, for himself, and a GV60 for his caddie, and will follow in the footsteps of Jordan Smith who aced the 17th during the second-round in 2022. Since the brand's inception in 2015, Genesis has been a strong supporter of golf, having sponsored tournaments both globally and in Korea. This 'Audacious Commitment' to the sport stems from the shared ideals of respect, integrity and excellence and has served as the foundation of the brand's global golf platform. The Genesis Scottish Open is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, counting on both the Race to Dubai Rankings and the FedExCup. Globally, Genesis is also the title-sponsor of The Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines on the PGA TOUR and the Genesis Championship tournament in Korea on the DP World Tour. The Scottish Sun have teamed up with the Scottish Open to offer five lucky winners the chance to win a FREE pair of tickets. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is answer the following question: Reigning champion Robert MacIntyre was born in which Scottish town? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer, name, address and daytime contact number to win@ Please put "GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN" in the email subject header. Competition closes at Midnight 29 June, 2025. UK residents only, excluding any Genesis Scottish Open or Scottish Sun employees and their families or anyone professionally connected with this promotion. One entry per person. Five winners each receiving a pair of tickets to attend the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club running on 10-13 July. Tickets must be accepted as offered and are not transferable and not refundable. No cash alternative will be offered. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. The Scottish Sun are under no liability whatsoever in connection with any loss, damage or injury which is suffered as a direct or indirect result of the prize . Usual Scottish Sun rules apply. Editor's decision is final. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘His rapid improvement shows no sign of stopping' – Templegate's 7-2 Saturday NAP
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on a busy Saturday of racing confident of bashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up PABORUS (2.25 York, nap) Has won four of his past five starts and can keep his excellent run of form going here. He signed off last season clocking a fast time while winning in good company on the Southwell sand. That was over this trip and he struck on comeback at Thirsk last time out in April. He went through the gears with the minimum of fuss there and could have won by a lot more than the official margin of two lengths. He takes a fair hike in class here but looks well up to it for trainer Ed Bethell who really put himself on the map with a couple of big wins at Royal Ascot last week. With William Buick in the saddle he will take a lot of beating even at Group 3 level. KIND OF BLUE (2.10 Newcastle, nb) We'll stick with Wathnan Racing and their speedster in the Chipchase Stakes. He's a proven Group 1 sprinter who needed the run after a long break in France last time. James Fanshawe's flyer looks a cut above these rivals. PAPPANO (3.15 Newcastle, treble) Has success on a Northumberland Plate! Jumps legend Willie Mullins is starting to make his mark on the level too and this former Gosden runner will relish this challenge in the big one at Newcastle. He stays and looks on a fair weight. Templegate's verdicts NEWCASTLE 1.40 ARAMRAM ran well in the Wokingham last week, finishing like a train after missing the kick. He's best over this trip and could have more to offer. He's gone well on the all-weather before. Pocklington goes well here and is best after a break so don't worry about his 311 days off. He looks solid each-way. Durham Castle is progressive and had a bit up his sleeve when going in at Windsor last time. This trip suits and he's another with tapeta form. Arctic Thunder came home strongly into second at Haydock on just his second run for Ed Walker and is another to note. 2.10 KIND OF BLUE is a proven Group 1 performer who should be much too good. He finished last season winning the Champions Sprint at Ascot and can be forgiven his comeback in France last time when missing the break by half a furlong. He doesn't usually do that and will be much smarter away today. Ferrous is a classy handicapper who deserves a crack at this level. He won well here last time and is best over today's trip. Fair Angellica took Listed honours at Salisbury when enjoying the drop to this distance and can hold her own again. Spycatcher is proven in this grade and is capable of hitting the frame wisely dropping back from seven furlongs. 2.40 CONTACTO went close at Goodwood last time on his first crack at this two-mile trip. He should come on for that first outing in nine months and he looks capable of better over extreme trips. Godsend was well backed for the Plate but didn't quite get in. He's a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver who made it four in a row at Nottingham last time. This is his toughest assignment yet from another 7lb higher but he'll be right there. Humble Spark has four Newcastle wins on his CV and stays well. He was far from disgraced in this grade at Haydock last time and looks a player. Savrola is consistent over slightly shorter trips and went close at Hamilton last time. He's got place claims. Gibside won over 2m2f at Chester last month and is another serious contender. 3.15 PAPPANO was useful on the level for the Gosdens and can take a step forward on this Flat debut for Irish genius Willie Mullins. He has gone well in Listed company and looks on a fair weight under Jamie Spencer who can time his run right. East India Dock hit traffic issues when running a cracker in the Ascot Stakes and the Chester Cup winner looks a real threat. Zanndabad is a proven stayer from the Tony Martin yard that has won this race before. He had a nice warm-up for this at The Curragh last time. Last year's winner Onesmoothoperator has a lot more weight this time but his liking for trip and track can take him into the frame. Who's Glen was a solid fifth to East India Dock at Chester and has place prospects. 3.45 NATIVE WARRIOR has some smart form over a mile and should enjoy Newcastle's straight over 7f which takes some getting. He's dropped close to the mark that saw him go close in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and he was a solid second at Windsor 33 days ago. He can have a say in this wide-open contest. City Walk is interesting despite coming back from 540 days off. He won the Gosforth Park Cup sprint here but has stamina too and Saeed Bin Suroor should have him ready. Zip looks a big price considering he was a solid second over course and distance last time. The veteran could easily make the frame again. Eldrickjones was ahead of him here in May and has gone close in hot company twice since. He's another with an each-way say. Dosman is back from nine months off and looks on a fair mark with trainer Roger Varian in decent form. Telemark ran better than seventh suggests at York last time and likes this trip. YORK 1.55 ARCHIVIST relished this decent ground when scooting in by more than four lengths at Leicester earlier this month. That was just his second run for William Haggas and he can improve on this handicap debut over an ideal distance. Cadarn is going the right way and landed back-to-back wins at Redcar before a little break. He showed good pace on the front end last time and relishes this trip. He looks a big danger under William Buick. Madame De Sevigne may just be better over seven furlongs but was just edged out over this mile at Nottingham and can't be written off. Barley may not have been entirely at home on soft ground in the Carlisle Bell on Wednesday after two decent runs on quicker going. Shamrock Bay has few miles on the clock and has place claims for the Kublers despite going up in class. 2.25 PABORUS is improving with every run and had plenty in hand at Thirsk last time out in April. That was his first run in six months and he's had another little break since. This seven-furlong trip on fast ground is ideal and he looked well up to Group 3 standard last time. William Buick can land a rare win in the Wathnan Racing colours for trainer Ed Bethell who is having a big season. Lethal Levi was just collared on the line in a Curragh Group 2 last time and has some hot handicaps on his CV. The slight worry is the extra furlong he tackles today but he'll take some pegging back from the front. Formal deserves this hike in grade after taking a Listed prize at Epsom's Derby meeting. She goes on any ground and gets a big weight allowance as a three-year-old filly. Lake Forest was a good fifth in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot 11 days ago. He tried to come from a long way back there and this drop in grade will definitely boost his chances. 3.00 JM JUNGLE has a formidable record at York and comes here on the back of winning the red-hot Dash at Epsom last time. He's up 5lb for that but is in excellent form and should be well drawn in stall four. He can be relied on to go close again. Habooba went from the front when winning here last month ahead of the tip and the form has been franked. A 6lb rise may not stop him from following up. Regal Envoy has a brilliant strike-rate for a sprinter and made it five wins from his past six runs at Windsor 19 days ago. This trip is ideal on any ground and he's in the mix under Oisin Murphy. Azure Angel clocked a personal best when scoring at Redcar last time. She had the best of the draw but beat the track record so it was still a good effort. Squealer has been knocking on the door and was touched off at Doncaster three Saturdays ago. A 3lb rise is fair and he likes quick ground. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Astonishing SIMULTANEOUS KNOCKDOWN sees kickboxing fight likened to Dragonball Z as fighters fly off each other
There was plenty on the line including a mega-money contract CLASH OF TITANS Astonishing SIMULTANEOUS KNOCKDOWN sees kickboxing fight likened to Dragonball Z as fighters fly off each other Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the astonishing moment two kickboxers achieved a simultaneous knockdown in a fight likened to Dragonball Z. The amazing scenes occurred in Thailand at the ONE kickboxing event. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Two fighters landed simultaneous knockdowns in amazing scenes 4 The incredible battle occurred in Thailand 4 Fans were left amazed at the double hit It saw Ramadan Ondash and Chartpayak Sakastoon clash in a star-studded fight. And there was plenty on the line, with the winner securing a £70,000 contract with the ONE Championship. The high-stakes battle showed from the off as both men went hammer and tongs at each other. The two fighters both ended up hitting the deck as blows went flying in from all angles. READ MORE IN MMA HEAT IS ON Inside Jake Paul's camp on £30m ranch where he almost FIRED his coaches However, the second round got even crazier. As the competitors clashed, they each struck each other at the same time. And in amazing scenes, the two fighters both went flying before hitting the ground simultaneously. The crowd went wild as they got back to their feet. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS But it was Ondash who took the win on the night, securing his contract while inflicting Saksatoon's first-ever career defeat. Fans at home were left amazed by the battle, with some likening the double knockdown to cartoon Dragonball Z. MMA star 'kisses' and 'humps' rival in bizarre celebration… before he's punched out of the octagon by defeated star 4 The fight was compared to cartoon Dragonball Z Credit: Dragonball Z One said: 'Like Goku and Vegeta.' Another declared: 'Bruh the double knockdown.' One noted: 'This fight was bananas.' Another added: 'This was crazy.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Wayne Rooney pictured looking glum on holiday with Coleen & pals
The footie ace was on hols with pals including old team-mates John O'Shea and Michael Carrick WISH ROO WERE HERE? WISH ROO WERE HERE? Wayne Rooney pictured looking glum on holiday with Coleen & pals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WAYNE Rooney looks short of holiday spirit on a sunshine break with smiling wife Coleen and their jolly band of pals. The ex-England and Man United ace, 39, seemed glum in the snap in Ibiza, and was covered up in a T-shirt and cap. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Yet his gang of chums — including old team-mates John O'Shea and Michael Carrick — and partners bared the flesh and supped cocktails. Coleen, a drink in each hand, posted the snap online and captioned it: 'Amazing time in Ibiza with great friends.' But many spotted Wayne's pain with one commenting: 'Wayne needs to tell his face he is having a fab time.' Rooney has been tipped for a shock return to management - in non-league. He was sacked by Plymouth Argyle on New Year's Eve. Rooney left the Pilgrims bottom of the Championship after a dismal seven-month spell. The 39-year-old won just five of his 25 games in charge at Home Park. Plymouth were eventually relegated to League One despite an upturn in form under Miron Muslic. SunSport transfer expert Alan Nixon claims Rooney is now a target for non-league Macclesfield.
